Maren Morris Won’t Let Success Go to Her Head

Winning a CMA Award would be "extreme validation" for Maren Morris. The "My Church" singer is up for seven awards at the 2016 CMA Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 2), but the results won't make or break her year.

The 26-year-old tells Taste of Country she understands how and why some artists can't handle the quick success she's come upon in 2016. One year ago she held an industry party to formally introduce herself and her new music, and now, she has a No. 1 hit in "My Church," another burgeoning hit with "80s Mercedes" and a critically-hailed album called Hero.

"I honestly think the people who get (successful) super quick and haven’t had enough time to develop and figure out their sound or who they are as a person, that can be sort of detrimental," Morris told us prior to the CMAs. "You know, I feel like with myself I’ve really strapped and schlepped the last 16 years performing and I feel like I got a good head on my shoulders."

Indeed, the Texan played stages across Texas for years as a young girl and teen. She moved to Nashville hoping to pursue a songwriting career, but got the itch to perform again during songwriter nights around Music City. She proceeded slowly, releasing songs independently before signing with Sony Music Nashville. This year she's been country music's hottest newcomer, garnering praise from all corners of the world. Keith Urban picked her up for his summer tour, and he still gushes on her talents whenever given the chance.

"People need to go and hear Hero. It's a great album, for a debut record particularly," he tells Taste of Country. "I'm really looking forward to what she does next because she's a real writer. She really writes. She's like (Eric) Church, she's the real deal."

Morris is nominated for seven 2016 CMA Awards. The CMAs begin are at 8PM ET on Nov. 2 on ABC.